The Battlegrounds Mobile India, abbreviated as BGMI, is not currently banned in India. Still lot of people ask Is BGMI Banned in India. This question arise from the fact that game was banned in 2023 and unbanned in May 2023, after the 10-month ban. The initial ban was in July 2022 due to security concerns and data privacy issues, but later it was allowed back in the app stores after Krafton addressed the concerns.
Detailed explanation of the incident
The initial ban was in July 2022 when BGMI was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store due to the ban from the Indian government. The reason behind the ban was due to the security concerns and the data privacy issues, as the links belong to China and prove to be a major point of threat.
In May 2023, BGMI was unbanned and was available for download on both the Android and iOS platforms. According to the current status, it is currently payable in India and has been much appreciated by the ESports scene.
Is there a possibility of it being banned in India again?
People are concerned about the future of the popular mobile gaming app Battlegrounds Mobile India, and the reason behind this is the data transfer concerns and the government’s suspicions.
BGMI, in this regard, faces the potential ban in India due to concerns repeatedly raised about data transfers to servers linked with China. So, a meeting was also scheduled to decide the game’s fate in India.
There are certain speculations that Seema Haider may also be the reason behind the ban on BGMI once again. Seema Haider met her Indian lover while playing the game, and it turned out to be a possible reason that could lead to the ban. It can be said that the future is uncertain, as the popular gaming platform has been facing the possibility of being banned once more.
The Indian government has raised suspicions surrounding Battlegrounds Mobile India, despite the distinction from PUBG Mobile. Over the potential data transfer to the servers that are linked to China. The concerns have also sparked worries regarding the possible misuse of the user data, including but not limited to the location, audio recordings, and other sensitive information.
Based on the report from News18, a senior official from the Union Government’s Cybersecurity Division has been coordinating with the law enforcement agencies, who have suggested discontinuing the app. There have been specific concerns due to various factors, including the entry of Pakistani national Seema Haider into India, who had allegedly met her partner, Sachin Meena, through the platform. The Indian government has also been raising its concerns that the data that BGMI collects includes the location, audio, and other information that is enough for being misused for surveillance or cyber-attacks.
Indian Govt. sees BGMI as the rebranded version of PUBG Mobile, which was previously banned due to its connection to the Chinese company AFK Gaming. Also, specific reports indicate that the game servers are in the US. Still, the authorities look forward to ensuring that the data isn’t transferred to servers elsewhere. Recently Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a statement that Centre is thinking about regulating or even banning online gaming platforms.
The situation has led to a detailed inquiry directed at Krafton, the company behind BGMI. The meeting was scheduled for clarity on the matter, stating that the company will have the opportunity to present its case, while the Central agencies will be reassessing the position before making the final decision regarding the fate of the game.
Krafton is unlikely to sell data, being aware of the government policies
There have been allegations against Krafton, but many believe it could be false. The FIR was filed by a single resident in Maharashtra, not by any company or corporation. Legal Proceedings went like the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Malshiras, ordered a police investigation after initial inaction. In this regard, Krafton India has filed writ petitions in the Bombay High Court, challenging the FIR and seeking to halt the investigation.
Krafton has even mentioned that the protection of personal data is of utmost importance to them and that they are committed to upholding the highest standards of data security.
Is there a chance of BGMI getting banned again?
Recent reports suggest that the BGMI ban might happen now. However, if there are massive allegations against Krafton, and the allegations against it are proved true, then the consequences might be that BGMI might be banned once again.
Irrespective of the concerns, strict laws will protect user privacy. The Indian government has been looking forward to banning numerous Chinese companies. One of these applications was PUBG MOBILE, which was banned in 2020 due to data leakage in China. Fans are completely anxious about the possible BGMI ban again.
Krafton India and four executives have been facing an FIR (No. 0474/2024) filed at Akluj Police Station. The complainant is Santosh Torane, who alleged that the company sold user data for approximately ₹2,000 per subscriber and violated confidentiality clauses. Also, charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and violations under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Analysts and users argued that there might not be a chance that the court could enforce a nationwide ban from a regional FIR, and that there is a need for full Supreme Court involvement. Also, the recent revelations mention that the full ban might be improbable in the short term.
Bottom Line
BGMI is not banned currently, and it has been live in India. The platform did witness a previous ban, one from July 2022 to May 2023, but that wasn’t permanent as Krafton met regulatory demands associated with data security. The game now operates under government oversight, and there are associated playtime restrictions for minors and local server deployment.
